The review is authorized by section 15 of the Investment Canada Act, which allows for investments in Canada to be reviewed if the venture “falls within a prescribed specific type of business activity that, in the opinion of the Governor in Council, is related to Canada’s cultural heritage or national identity.”

So it would appear that Canada’s government believes there is a connection between Apple investing in a Canadian digital bookstore and the nation’s cultural identity. Whatever that connection may or may not be is entirely unclear, though Mr. Geist notes the review “may help explain the delay in the full launch of Apple online bookstore for the iPad.”

A spokesperson for the federal department of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages confirmed the government has indeed ordered a review of Apple’s Canadian iBookstore in order “to determine if it will be of direct cultural benefit to Canada.” The spokesperson declined to provide further details, noting that “detailed information about the review of specific investments is protected under the Investment Canada Act.”

A spokesperson for Apple in Canada said the company was aware of the review.

The government might do well to start the review process by asking the millions of iPod, iPhone and iPad owners of Canada for their views on the matter.